AZTECS UPDATE : SDSU Tries to Snap Laramie Skid

San Diego State hasn’t won in Laramie, Wyo., since 1984, but the Aztecs won’t be underdogs Saturday when they play the Cowboys in War Memorial Stadium.

The Aztecs (4-2-1, 4-1 in the Western Athletic Conference) have a 6-8 record lifetime against the Cowboys (4-5, 2-3). Their record is 2-5 in Laramie, Wyo., where Saturday’s game will be played--and where it could be snowing at game time.

“They practice indoor all week,” Coach Al Luginbill said of Wyoming. “They’re still going to get their preparation, and we’ll get ours. It’s just a matter of who executes better in the game.”

SDSU’s victory there in 1984 was also the last time the Aztecs shut out an opponent--21-0. Their losing skid at Laramie includes a 52-51 loss in 1990, when the Aztecs set the current NCAA record for most points in a game by a losing team.

“You can go up there and have a great day,” said Luginbill, who used the phrase “transition period time” to describe the importance of the game. “I would rather have snow than large amounts of wind.”

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Luginbill delayed his decision on how he would replace injured strong safety Chris Johnson. But it appears that backup John McCartney will be promoted to starter after today’s practice.

Luginbill said he was satisfied with McCartney’s first two full-contact sessions with the first team this week.

Said McCartney, “I know exactly what to do on every play.”

If McCartney is not ready, defensive backs coach Ron Mims said starters Darrell Lewis (free safety) and Robert Griffith (dime back) will have to change positions.

“I guess you can say we’ll scrutinize him real close,” Mims said of McCartney, whose game experience consists of one series against New Mexico and two against UCLA.

The most experienced player at Johnson’s position is Larry Maxey--a fifth-year senior who, after once starting at H-back and being named a WAC honorable mention running back, is now primarily a third-down possession receiver. Maxey started 10 games at strong safety in 1989 and was SDSU’s third leading tackler. But Maxey said Tuesday he was not interested in returning to defense.

Luginbill said the strong safety in SDSU’s system is chiefly responsible for covering the tight end. And tight ends figure prominently in Wyoming’s offensive scheme. Mike Jones and Matt Swenson have 59 receptions and two touchdowns between them.